Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-02-05
/" iStOpi" exclaimed Cameron.

Stopl" exclaimed Cameron.
money or stop. OF course my stopping
will not seriously hurt my pupil; there are
plenty of men who would be only too glad
to back Miss Alwyn, but that will not help
me-n0r gou. Now, 1 thoroughly under
stand how matters stand between yourself
and my pupil. Listen, and don't get angry.
Gun kill two birds with one stone. I must
have money-money is al l care about.
About twelve thousand dollars would re-
lieve all pressure for the time being, and
during the next three seasons (the period
of my contract with Miss Alwyn) could
doubtless clear forty thousand dollars. But
1t you will give me seventy-five thousand
dollars now will drop Miss Alwyn alto
gether, and so manage matters that in a
very sholt time she will be only too glad 10
forget her music and accept your offer of
marriage. Come, Mr.. Cameron, the sum l
have mentioned is mere bagatelle to YOU"
Now Richard Cameron was, decidedly,
very much in love; still, he was not so entire
ly lost to things terrestrial but that he knew
full we'll that this was q most unique and
extraordinary offer.
He certainly wanted Alta Alwyn for his
wife, and to attain that end would gladly
expend twice seventy five thousand dollars.
But were Rivera's proposals honorable,
were they worthy his consideration? Any
way, how could Rivera guarantee to bring
his plans to successful issue, and should
q man who would break n contract with a
woman be trusted in any degree? All
these thoughts passed. one after another,
through Cameron's brain.
"Well, Mr.. Cameron" urged the signor.
II do not quite see through your scheme,
signor, saidthe young man.
"a
Rivera. at is clearly understood between
us that l want cash and you want the
lady. lfmy proposition is accepted, we'll;
if not, we'll. Only, no riding the high
horse-no strong expressions of indigna-
t on-nothing of that kind, please, or
stop right here"
$50 on, said Cameron, as the Italian
paused for moment.
IL tiatter myself that l have made Alta
Alwyn as an artist; also, that understand
her nature thoroughly. AS l have made
her professional reputation, SO l can an
make it can blast it. If I know any
thing of my pupil, she will not be able TO
take failure and disappointment very we'll.
When it comes she will turn to you, and
not until then. If necessary / will try
something more. / will damage her pri-
vate reputation; L will kill her socially; l
will"
"Step!" exclaimed Cameron. al do not
wish to hear any more. But l must have
that girl. 1 will give you seventy-no, I
will give you eighty thousand dollars now,
for present, to help you out of your diff
culties-n present, you understand, without
regard to Miss Alwyn-I cannot make
money bargains on her account giue you
this as present. Of course, if you can
help me i'll any way, do so. But be care
fttl oil IN nd hnt
the money"
When the manager had gone, Cameron
tried to soothe his conscience. But think
as he would, try to persuade himself as ne
might, he could not drive from his brain
the knowledge that he had agreed to pay
money to an inscriptions man for the
purpose of destroying woman's fame,
and, perchance, her good name.
Right well Rivera succeeded in his plans.
With flush bank account he grew reck-
less, and his prof ssional duties and obli-
cations were thrown to the winds. This
alone was sufficient to seriously hurt his
protegee. But he did not stop at that.
He used every means mis- cunning mind
could desire to blast Alta Alwyn's reputa-
ton, and three months after tie young
singer lad maze her triumphal debut, her
fame as an artist was killed. Not only SO,
but many were the cruel stori; 8, dropped
from careless lips, in regard to her private
life; and, though utterly untrue, they hurt
her none the less.
As Rivera had foretold, Alta Alwyn could
ill brook disappointment. She had no near
friends, and while her heart had held
naught but ambition she had not felt their
need. Now she yearned for some one in
whom she could confide, and the only ono
of whom che thought was Dick Cameron.
Yet, when Dick Cameron came to her in
her loneliness and once more offered his
hand, she refused him. Not that she had
the faintest suspicion of CamerOn's part
in Rivera's plot against herself-or, indeed,
Of the plot itself. For she had felt SO
sorry for Rivera at the loss he must neces-
sarilv las she supposedly suffer ON account
OF her failure, that she pressed upon him
the greater part of her own share of the
profits of her brief season. No; if she had
twice refused Dick Cameron's love, she
had always trusted and respected him, and
could never have associated his name with
q mean action. But SIC was proud, and
having, in the heyday of her triumph, re-
fused his love, she felt it would be utterly
impossible for her, with any degree Of self
respect, to take that love when all else
failed So yet aga Richard Cameron
was disappointed. Sick at heart and some
what ashamed of himself, he left New
York and took up his residence in the gay
French capital.
And when the girl who had once said that
she had no heart, the girl who had SO lately
known nothing but ambition, who had
cared for naught but success in her chosen
professionalism this same girl realized
that the ocean lay between herself and
Dick Cameron, she knew then, when it
was too late, that she loved him. 1t was
only the repetition Of an old story:
How could know / should love thee to-day,
Whom that day held not dear?
How could tell should love thee afar.
When did not love the anear?'
Her pro 'essional failure and the unkind
gossip of New York society had cut her to
the quick; but all that was forgotten now,
and, oh, if he would only come to her. for
| Just few minutes even, SO that she might
kneel before him cad tell him how MIS-
taken she had been!
But the days and weeks wore on; and, at
! twenty three, Alta Alwyn was disap-
pointed, broken hearted woman:
Three years slipped away, and in the
musical world the name of Alta Alwyn was
almost forgotten, or at best only dim
| memory.
A train was speeding along the iron
track, on its way westward, in the evening
| of day in late fall. In the parlor car sat
| a man of, perhaps, thirty five years-a man
| with tired and even dissipated expression